Cigarette



Jam. 28, 1936. W, F, Ml EDWARDS 2,028,828

CIGARETTE Filed Feb. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jill l llll Jam. 28, 936. Wl F, M, EDWARDS 2,028,828

CIGARETTE Filed Feb. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fr@ y 5 f/ 7 j@ Patented Jan. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE Application February 25, 1935, Serial No. 8,195

In Great Britain April 12, 1934 10 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of cigarettes and is particularly concerned with improved means for the manufacture of filter tip cigarettes.

The invention has for a particular object to provide means for introducing filter tips or other mouthpiece insertions-into tubular mouthpieces of cigarettes or cigarette paper tubes or into mouthpieces for subsequent association with cigarettes, whereby it is possible to ensure accurate positioning of the filter tip or other insertion flush with the end of the cigarette, cigarette paper tube or mouthpiece irrespective of any small variation in the length thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means ior the purpose referred to whereby the application of lter tips or other mouthpiece insertions to cigarettes, cigarette paper tubes or mouthpieces may be carried out effectively by the use of comparatively simple mechanism.

The invention is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan View illustrating apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on the line III- IIL Figure 2; and

Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 3 illustrating the operation of the apparatus.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one embodiment, which is particularly suitable for the application of lter tips or like mouthpiece insertions to cigarettes provided with hollow mouthpieces in any suitable manner but preferably by extraction of part of the tobacco filling from the mouthpiece end in accordance with the prior Patent No. 1,967,610, the cigarettes i are carried in grooves 2a in an intermittently movable drum 2 or equivalent carrier whereby the cigarettes I are brought successively into alignment with filter tip inserting means. At this position the cigarette I is moved axially by means of a resilient presser member, such as a rod 3 pressed outwards by a relatively light spring 3a under the control of a cam 4 acting through a pivoted lever 5, so that the mouthpiece end of the cigarette passes on to a short fixed spoon 5 which is associated with the outlet from a lter tip forming unit 1 of any suitable kind, or alternatively with a drum or other carrier or transfer means by which filter tips are brought into alignment with the said spoon. The cigarette I is pressed on to the spoon 6 by the action of the spring 3a so that its end abuts against the shoulder 6a as shown in Figure 3 and is held in this position on the spoon 6 by means of a gripping member 8a provided at one extremity of a doublearmed lever 8, such gripping member 8a having a suitably curved portion provided with a pad 8b which is adapted to clamp the wall of the cigarette paper tube or mouthpiece upon the spoon 6. The arm 8 is operated by a cam 9 and spring I0 in such manner that the gripping movement is elfected by the spring IU and the release of the gripper by the cam 9. If desired two or more gripping members may be arranged and operated in any similar or convenient manner so as to grip the wall of the cigarette paper tube or mouthpiece upon the spoon 6.

The ejecting plunger II by which the lter tip I2 (Figure 3) is ejected from the forming unit 1 is operated by means of a cam I3 and springs I4 arranged so that the ejecting movement of the plunger I I is effected by the springs I4 underthe control of the cam I3 acting through a doublearmed lever I3a engaging the plunger I I by means of a pin and slot connection I5. The cam I 3 is, as shown in Figure 1, of stepped formation so that the ejecting movement of the plunger II takes place in two stages. In the iirst stage the lter tip I2 is inserted into the spoon 6 and positioned so that it is ilush with the end of the cigarette I, as shown in Figure 4, the rod 3 having been previously withdrawn by the action of the cam 4. Before the second stage of movement of the plunger I i takes place the gripping member 8a is disengaged by the action of the cam 9 and in such second stage the plunger II ejects the filter tip from the spoon at the same time carrying the cigarette I olf the spoon, as shown in Figure 5, the plunger II if desired having a tongue IIa accommodated in a longitudinal slot 6b in the wall of the spoon 6 so as to engage the end of the cigarette paper tube or mouthpiece and thus ensure its ejection from the spoon without disturbance of the relative disposition of the filter tip I2 therewith. If desired the cam 4 operating the push rod 3 may be arranged so that the rod 3 remains in engagement with the outer end of the cigarette during the first stage of the ejecting movement of the plunger II and with such an arrangement the gripper 8a may in some cases be dispensed with.

As shown, the cams 4, 9 and I3 may be mounted upon a common shaft I6 but if desired any other convenient arrangement of cam mechanism may be employed.

By the means hereinbefore described it is possif ble to ensure in a very simple manner that the iilter tips or other insertions Will be accurately positioned in the cigarettes flush with the ends thereof, the mechanism employed furthermore being of a comparatively simple nature capable of operating at high speeds.

The invention is applicable for the production of cigarettes with inserted filter tips of any suitable kind, but is especially suitable in connection with filter tips produced from strip `material consisting of or embodying layers of crepe paper. Furthermore, the invention is applicable to the insertion of filter tips or the like into cigarette paper tubes to be subsequently llcd with tobacco or into mouthpieces for subsequent association With cigarettes.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment hereinbefore described and that the mechanism in accordance with the present invention may be 4associated with tobacco-extracting means in accomprising a spoon on which the tubular mouthpiece is positioned, a plunger axially aligned and (5o-operating with the said spoon to eject a mouthpiece insertion therethrough, means operating the said plunger so that one part of its Aejecting movement positions the said insertion flush with the end of the said mouthpiece, While a second part of the ejecting movement ejects the said insertion and mouthpiece from the spoon, means for maintaining the mouthpiece in position on the said spoon during the said rst part of the ejecting movement, and mechanism operating on the said mouthpiece-maintaining means to effect disengagement thereof prior to said second part of the ejecting movement.

2. In apparatus for the manufacture of filter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a spoon on Which the tubular mouthpiece is positioned, a plunger axially aligned and co-operating With the said spoon to eject a vmouthpiece insertion therethrough, means operating the said plunger so that one part of its ejecting` movement positions the said insertion flush with the end of the said mouthpiece, While la second part ofthe ejecting movement ejects the said insertion and mouthpiece from the "spoon, gripping means arranged to clamp the Wall of the said mouthpiece upon the said spoon during said first part Vof the ejecting movement, and mechanism operating onrthe said gripping means .to effect disengagement thereof prior to said second part of the ejecting movement.

3. In apparatus for the manufacture of lter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a spoon, a resilient presser member disposed in alignment With the said spoon, means operating said resilient presser member to effect axial movement of the said mouthpiece into engagement with the said spoon, a plunger axially aligned'and co-operating with'the said spoon to eject a mouthpiece insertion therethrough, means operating the said plunger so that one part of its ejecting movement positions the said insertion flush with the end of the said mouthpiece, While a second part of the ejecting movement ejects the said insertion and mouthpiece from the spoon, 'pressing means for maintaining the the said mouthpieces are successively positionedk in alignment with the said spoon, resilient means acting to cause full engagement of the said mouthpiece on to said spoon by relative axial l movement ,of the mouthpiece and spoon, cam mechanism acting on the said plunger so that in the first part of its ejecting movement the insertion is positioned iiush with the end of the said mouthpiece and so that in the second partof the kejecting movement thev insertion and the mouthpiece are ejected from the said spoon, gripping means arranged to engage the mouthpiece Vapplied upon the said spoon, and mechanism operating the said gripping means so that the Wall of the said mouthpiece is clamped upon the said spoon Vduring Vthe said rst part n of the ejecting movement of the saidvplunger and so that the mouthpiece is released by the said gripping means prior to the said second part of the ejecting movement. s

5. In apparatus forthe manufacture of filter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising-a spoon on which the tubular mouthpiece is positioned, a plunger axially aligned and co-operating with the said spoon to eject a mouth- .piece insertion therethrough, meansV operating the said plunger so that one part of` its ejecting movement positions the said insertion flush with the end of the said mouthpiece, While a second part of the ejecting movement ejects the-said insertion and mouthpiece from the spoon, a pivoted arm, a gripper member upon said arm arranged toi engage the mouthpiece applied upon the said spoon, and mechanism operating on the said arm so that the said gripper member clamps therwall of the said mouthpiece upon the said spoon duringV the said first part of the ejecting movement of the plunger and so that the mouth- .piece is released by the said gripper member prior to the said second part of the ejecting movement. Y

6. In apparatus for the manufacture of lter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions .into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a spoon, a plunger axially aligned with the said spoon and normally spaced from the rear lend thereof to permit of positioning the mouthpiece insertion between the plunger and spoon, a carrier having locating means whereby the said mouthpieces are successively positioned in alignment With `the said spoon, resilient means acting Yto cause full engagement of the said mouthpiece on to said spoon by relative axial movement of the mouthpiece and spoon, cam mechanism acting on the said plunger soy that in the first part of its ejecting movementY the insertion is positioned flush With the' endV of the said mouthpiece gage the mouthpiece applied upon the said spoon, and mechanism operating on the said arm so that the said gripper member clamps the wall of the said mouthpiece upon the said spoon during the said rst part of the ejecting movement of the plunger and so that the mouthpiece is released by the said gripper member prior to the said second part of the ejecting movement.

7. In apparatus for the manufacture of filter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a fixed spoon, a resilient presser -member disposed in alignment with the said spoon, means operating said resilient member to eiect axial movement of the said mouthpiece into engagement with the said spoon, a plunger axially aligned with the said spoon and normally spaced from the rear end thereof to permit of positioning the mouthpiece insertion between the plunger and spoon, a carrier having locating means whereby the said mouthp-ieces are successively positioned in alignment with the said spoon, cam mechanism acting on the said plunger so that in the first part of its ejecting movement the insertion is positioned flush with the end of the said mouthpiece and so that in the second part of the ejecting movement the insertion and the mouthpiece are ejected from the said spoon, gripping means arranged to engage the mouthpiece applied upon the said spoon, and mechanism operating the said gripping means so that the wall of the said mouthpiece is clamped upon the said spoon during the said first part of the ejecting movement of the said plunger and so that the mouthpiece is released by the said gripping means prior to the said second part of the ejecting movement.

8. In apparatus for the manufacture of filter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a spoon, a plunger axially aligned With the said spoon and normally spaced from the rear end thereof to permit of positioning the mouthpiece insertion betweenl the plunger and spoon, a carrier having locating means whereby the said mouthpieces are successively positioned in alignment with the said spoon, resilient means acting to cause full engagement of the said mouthpiece on to said spoon by relative axial movement of the mouthpiece and spoon, cam mechanism acting on the said plunger so that the ejecting movement thereof takes place in two stages with a pause between the stages, the rst stage of the ejecting movement positioning the insertion flush with the end of the said mouthpiece and the second stage of the ejecting movement ejecting the insertion and the mouthpiece from the said spoon, gripping means arranged to engage the mouthpiece applied upon the said spoon and mechanism operating the said gripping means so that the wall of the said mouthpiece is clamped upon the said spoon during the said rst stage of the ejecting movement of the said plunger and so that the mouthpiece is released by the said gripping means prior to 5 the said second stage of the ejecting movement.

9. In apparatus for the manufacture of filter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a spoon having a longitudinal slot and on which the tubular mouthpiece is positioned, a plunger axially aligned and cooperating with the said spoon to eject a mouthpiece insertion therethrough, a radially projecting tongue at the end of the said plunger .engaging in the slot in the said spoon, means operating the said plunger so that one part of its ejecting movement positions the said insertion ilush with the end of the said mouthpiece, while a second part of the ejecting movement ejects the said insertion and mouthpiece from the spoon, pressing means for maintaining the mouthpiece in position on the said spoon during the said rst part of the ejecting movement, and mechanism operating on the said pressing means to effect disengagement thereof prior to said second part of the ejecting movement.

l0. In apparatus for the manufacture of lter tip cigarettes, means for introducing mouthpiece insertions into tubular mouthpieces, such means comprising a xed spoon, a resilient presser member disposed in alignment with the said spoon, means operating said resilient member to effect axial movement of the said mouthpiece into engagement with the said spoon, a plunger axially aligned with the said spoon and normally spaced from the rear end thereof to permit of positioning the mouthpiece insertion between the plunger and spoon, a carrier having locating means whereby the said mouthpieces are succes- 40 sively positioned in alignment with the said spoon, cam mechanism acting on the said plunger so that in the first part of its ejecting movement the insertion is positioned ilush with the end of the said mouthpiece and so that in the 45 second part of the ejecting movement the insertion and the mouthpiece are ejected from the said spoon, a pivoted arm, a gripper member upon said arm arranged to ,engage the mouthpiece applied upon the said spoon, and mecha- 50 nism operating on the said arm so that the said gripper member clamps the wall of the said mouthpiece upon the said spoon during the said first part of the ejecting movement of the plunger and so that the mouthpiece is released by the said 55 gripper member prior to the said second part of the ejecting movement.

WILLIAM FREDERICK MAITLAND EDWARDS. 60 

